Adobo (Authentic Filipino Adobo Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between adobo and Filipino adobo? ›

While the Philippine adobo can be considered adobo in the Spanish sense—a marinated dish—the Philippine usage is much more specific to a cooking process (rather than a specific recipe) and is not restricted to meat.

There are two types of adobo on the island. The wet rub, adobo mojado, consists of crushed garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, dry or fresh lippia (Caribbean oregan), citrus juice and vinegar. More widely used on the island is a dry mix, adobo seco. It is easier to prepare and has a long shelf life.

Adobo, a popular dish in Philippine cuisine. You may use chicken, pork, seafood, or vegetables marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic and slowly simmered until yummy! Many Filipinos consider adobo, the national dish of the Philippines.

Most modern-day Filipino adobo is prepared with vinegar and soy sauce. Some families keep it simple with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Others add fresh ginger or coconut milk.

Filipino Adobo is an indigenous dish that received a Spanish name because it reminded the Spaniards of how they marinated and preserved meat with spices. They are not the same, but they are similar because each culture needed to preserve and flavor food so it wouldn't rot.

There's no doubt that adobo is a mainstay in Philippine cuisine — thanks to its complex flavours rooted from a simple vinegar-braised method, it's one of the most well-known gateway dishes that introduces foreigners to the curious and nuanced world of Filipino food.

The word adobo is derived from the Spanish word adobar, which means “marinade” or “pickling sauce.” The existence of the tangy dish was first recorded in 1613 by the Spaniard Pedro de San Buenaventura.

A suitable substitute for adobo seasoning is a blend of common spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, you can try using Cajun seasoning or mild curry powder to achieve a similar flavor profile.

What is Filipino adobo? In the Philippines, which was claimed by the Spanish in 1521, adobo is most often a braise featuring vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns—the ratio of which is dictated by both your family's palate and your own.

“Adobo” got its “official” name when Spanish Friar, Pedro de San Buenaventura, saw Indigenous Filipinos enacting their process. Buenaventura was reminded of the Spanish word “adobar”, meaning “to marinate”, and by way of lexical imperialism, the name stuck.

What is the national animal of the Philippines? ›

The carabao is the national animal of the Philippines. It symbolizes strength, power, efficiency, perseverance, and most of all, hardwork.

Many Filipino chicken adobo recipes will also tell you that using entirely white vinegar is fine. The first time I made chicken adobo, I used white vinegar and it was quite tasty, though I like this recipe better. Other recipes prefer apple cider vinegar, which is a bit less sharp and acidic than white vinegar.

Adobo seasoning typically contains garlic powder, ground black pepper, oregano, and sometimes onion powder, cumin, paprika, bitter orange, saffron, chili powder, salt, turmeric, or msg depending on where the cook comes from.

You can stir it while it's simmering or boiling. But, as for my father's words, do not stir it after you add the vinegar because "it may ruin the taste of the adobo." Bay leaves are quite optional to put when I cook my adobo. Salt is optional, too, because all the salty taste will be coming from the soy sauce.

What Chicken Adobo tastes like. The glaze of Filipino Chicken Adobo is savoury and sweet with a hint of tang, with a distinct soy flavour. The garlic and onion creates a savoury base along with the bay leaves, and the peppercorns add little subtle pops of heat. Don't be afraid of the peppercorns in this!

It typically contains salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, cumin, and oregano. The exact mix can vary—some adobo blends may contain turmeric, touches of fiery heat like cayenne, or citrus elements such as dried lemon zest.

Did you know we have over 100 variations of adobo? Here are some of the different ways that the different parts of the country prepare everyone's favorite Filipino food.

According to the food historian Raymond Sokolov, the ingredients for adobo already existed in the Philippines before Ferdinand Magellan even laid eyes on our shores. Because the dish's original name was never recorded (and in a case of what Sakolov calls “lexical imperialism”), the Spanish label stuck.